What does depression look like?
Take Aidan for example...
For the past two months, Aidan hasn't felt like himself. Things he used to enjoy don't bring him the same happiness anymore, and it feels like he's just getting through each day. School takes more effort, seeing friends feels exhausting, and everything seems harder than it used to. Most of the time, he feels sad, empty, and low on energy. As his symptoms continue to get worse, the people who care about him are starting to worry.
Aidan's story might feel familiar. You may have experienced similar feelings yourself, or you may recognize them in someone close to you. Depression doesn't look the same for everyone, but losing interest in the things you once enjoyed, feeling sad or empty, and struggling with everyday life can all be signs. If these symptoms have been lasting or getting worse, it may be time to reach out for help.
Everyone experiences sadness, stress, or low energy from time to time. However, when several of these symptoms occur together, last for weeks, and begin to interfere with daily life, they may be signs of depression.
Depression can affect how you think, feel, and function, making school, work, relationships, and everyday activities much more difficult. The good news is that depression is treatable, and support is available.
The right treatment at the right time can make all the difference.
Depression often begins during adolescence and early adulthood¹ , when many important life decisions are being made. Early, effective treatment can support recovery and help young people thrive socially, academically, and professionally.
¹ Moffitt TE, Caspi A, Taylor A, Kokaua J, Milne BJ, Polanczyk G, et al. How common are common mental disorders? Evidence that lifetime prevalence rates are doubled by prospective versus retrospective ascertainment. Psychol Med 2010; 40: 899–909.
Why TIDE?
There are many effective treatments for depression, including medications and psychological therapies, but no single treatment works for everyone. Finding the right treatment can take time, and there is no guarantee the first approach will be the best fit. When the right treatment is found early, recovery can happen sooner. When it isn't, treatment can feel frustrating and discouraging.
Our goal is to help clinicians make more informed treatment decisions, so young people can receive the care they're most likely to benefit from sooner.
TIDE is the first study of its kind to investigate which factors can help predict whether a young person experiencing their first episode of depression is more likely to benefit from medication, psychological therapy, or a combination of both.
The treatments provided through TIDE are established, evidence-based standards of care for youth depression. We are not testing new medications or experimental therapies. Instead, we are studying how young people respond to treatments that are already widely used, safe, and effective.
TIDE treatments: Therapy or Medicine?
All eligible TIDE participants receive active, evidence-based treatment. The study compares two well-established approaches to treating depression in young people:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and antidepressant medication.
Everyone responds to treatment differently. By comparing these approaches, we're working to better understand which treatment is most likely to help each individual recover. If your initial treatment isn't improving your symptoms enough, your care team may recommend changing or adding to your treatment plan.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
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A structured, evidence-based form of talk therapy.
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Helps identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours.
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Teaches practical coping skills to improve mood and manage depression.
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Aims to reduce symptoms and lower the risk of future depressive episodes.
Antidepressant Medication
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Prescribed and monitored by a Nova Scotia Health psychiatrist.
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One of three well-established antidepressants may be recommended.
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Medication selection is based on clinical judgment and your individual needs.
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Your progress is closely monitored throughout treatment.
Getting the information that matters
We understand that lengthy assessments can be challenging, especially when you're experiencing depression. That's why we strive to make TIDE visits as efficient and convenient as possible. Along with treatment visits, participants complete assessments that collect information about their health, brain activity, speech, sleep, physical activity, and personal experiences.
Scroll over the items below to find out more about some of the measures used in TIDE.
EEG
We use a lightweight EEG (electroenecephalograpy) device to record natural brain activity while the participant is speaking and while at rest.
SPEECH SAMPLE
We record a short speech sample during the EEG to examine how depression affects how people talk.
BLOOD TEST
We do a blood test to check your overall health, confirm treatment is safe for you, and to look for biological markers linked to depression.
SLEEP ACTIVITY
You'll be asked to wear a watch-like device called an actigraph to track your sleep and physical activity over two 2-week periods.
Everything that you share with us is completely confidential, and your data will be stored anonymously.
Contact us if you have any questions on how we protect your privacy.
Who can participate?
You may be eligible if...
1. Are 12-25 years old
2. Live in Nova Scotia
3. Think you may be experiencing your first episode of depression
4. Have not previously received any depression treatment
You do not need a referral to participate, but you're welcome to talk to your family doctor first.
If you are over 25, or this is not the first time you are experiencing depression, you may be eligible for a different research study at the Depression Clinical Research program.
Not sure if TIDE is right for you? That's okay. Reaching out is simply a chance to learn more, ask questions, and find out whether the study is a good fit—there's no obligation to participate.
I want to participate... What's next?
Step 1: Get in Touch
You, your parent or guardian, or your family doctor can contact us to get started. We'll arrange a confidential conversation over the phone or in person, where you can ask questions and learn more about TIDE. We'll also ask about your symptoms and health history to determine whether the study is likely to be a good fit.
Step 2: Screening Visit
If you appear to be eligible and would like to continue, we'll invite you to a screening visit. During this appointment, we'll explain the study in detail, review what participation involves, and answer any questions you may have. You'll also meet with a TIDE clinician, who will complete an assessment to confirm your eligibility.
Step 3: Begin Your Journey
If you and the clinician decide that TIDE is a good fit, you'll attend a baseline visit. This includes questionnaires, interviews, and the collection of information such as brain activity and other health measures to help us better understand depression.
Step 4: Begin Treatment
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You'll then be randomly assigned to receive either Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or antidepressant medication, giving each participant an equal chance of receiving either treatment.
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Initial treatment lasts 16 weeks, with appointments every two weeks.
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After that, your care team will discuss whether additional treatment would be helpful.
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We'll also check in with you every three months for up to two years to monitor your progress and learn more about long-term recovery.